Another Democrat for Senate

Former Baltimore County Executive Dennis F. Rasmussen is announcing tonight he will join the Democratic primary race for U.S. Senate, saying he offers a more moderate alternative to the existing field of candidates.

In an interview, Rasmussen said "we want to give the voters of Maryland a choice." The other candidates represent the left, he said, and Republican contender, Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, represents "the far right."
"I'm going to run as a moderate on social issues and as a fiscal conservative," he said.

Rasmussen served one term as Baltimore County executive, from 1986 to 1990, and prior to that as a member of both the State House of Delegates and Senate. He has since worked as a lobbyist in Annapolis.

Others in the primary are U.S. Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin, former congressman and NAACP president Kweisi Mfume , forensic psychiatrist Lise Van Susteren, perennial candidate A. Robert Kaufman and American University professor Allan J. Lichtman . Montgomery County businessman Joshua Rales is expected to announce his candidacy this month.

As a traditional, mainstream Democratic politician, former State legislator, former County Executive and prominent Annapolis lobbyist, one would have expected Dennis Rasmussen to support Ben Cardin. His entry into the Senate race raises three interesting political issues.

First, did mainstream Maryland Democrats urge Rasmussen to enter the race concerned that Michael Steele could gain enough momentum and cross-party support to possibly defeat Cardin or Kwiese Mfume in the general election?

Second, will Rasmussen's candidacy cause a serious three-way split in the vote that will lead to a win for Mfume in the Demorcratic primary?

Third, if Mfume wins the Democratic primary, will the Democratic Party lose the Senate seat to a Republican in the general election?